Stay Grounded With Raj Jana

“People who ask more questions are perceived to be more likeable.” Can you remember how it felt to have the curiosity of a child? Maybe it was a time when you believed you could be anything. Or a time when endless questions inspired your day. Unfortunately, 'life' buries our desire for more, and before you know it, the questions seize up. Life begins to feel more limited until we're stuck in the soul-sucking status quo, wondering what happened to all that 'more'. This week’s incredible guests believe you can reinvigorate your inherent ability to create more of what you desire. It’s all possible when you tap into the insane power of ASKING.  “When you ask yourself a question, it literally causes a different part of your mind to light up - and it's the part of your brain that does critical thinking.” Mark Victor Hansen is probably best known as the co-author of the wildly popular Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Mark is also an entrepreneurial marketing maven and a sough

“I had all of the things and yet, I was at this point where I didn't want to live.” I believe this is one of the most important episodes of Stay Grounded I’ve ever recorded. Suicide is a big killer among men my age and there’s a common thread - we don’t know how to talk about depression or feelings of isolation, or how to ask for help and support during dark times. When I first met Chris Plough, I was deeply moved by his depth of empathy, care, and sensitivity. This is a man who’s experienced suicide from both sides. Not only has he been close to taking his own life - the first time at age just 16 - but he lost both his parents in a homicide-suicide. In this vulnerable conversation, Chris shares the emotions involved and what it actually feels like to have suicidal tendencies. He also explains the tangible steps we can all take to help someone transform their suicidal thoughts into something beautiful.   “Empathetic witness is just being able to be present with somebody and

“In a crisis, the worst thing you can do is isolate yourself.” Susie Carder is no stranger to crisis. As a survivor of abuse, Susie learned to rise above the crisis, discover her inner strength, and in the process, completely transform the life trajectory that her childhood mapped out. These experiences have put her in a beautiful position to be able to support people to move through these current times. “I'm a tough-love coach. I'm going to tell you what you don't want to hear, show you what you don't want to see, so that you could be the person you knew that you could be.” Susie started out as a low-paid hairdresser trying to support her two girls before deciding to be an entrepreneur. Since then, she’s built two $10 million dollar companies and as a Profit Coach, she supports other entrepreneurs to build a business that allows them to live their dreams and achieve financial abundance.Susie’s helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs increase their revenues by more than 3,000% and worked with to

“We stay in the fast lane so that we don't have to feel our deal.” Current times have forced a new pace of life upon so many of us. There’s an invitation to slow down, take stock, and reassess what’s most important. There’s a window to be more intentional and practice the grounding ritual that connects us back to our true essence.Sure, these times are challenging - especially for those of us who are used to speed and hustle, but the pause can also be healing. Slowing down provides an opportunity to sit with the emotions and feelings hidden by the ‘go-go-go’ lifestyle. In turn, we have a chance to shift from DOing to BEing - and in the process, we get clearer on our own wants, needs, and desires. This episode’s guest - the incredible Nancy Levin - is here to help you navigate that transition with ease and grace. Drawing from personal experiences, Nancy shares her story about escaping the addictive ‘on-it’ lifestyle to learn how to live her life on her terms. “Everything we're chasing extern

“I’m trusting my own spirit over my mind and over what anybody else thinks.” Is there a part of you that knows your true path follows a different track to the one you’re walking currently? Do you have an inner knowing that your life could be different - if only you had the courage to follow the beat of your own drum? If so, you’re not alone. In this age of transformation and chaos, more and more people are questioning the conventional path through life. More and more people are looking to explore the truth of who they are and authentically express their inner being. Makhosi Candiss Pitts is an Abundance Activator & Authentic African Shaman who helps seekers create an extraordinary business and life using mindset, mindfulness and metaphysics mastery. She guides people to develop their intuition and cultivate the courage to trust their personal truth - so they can create limitless abundance, unparalleled freedom and exceptional impact.And in this powerful episode, she’ll help you do

“There’s so much wisdom in knowing yourself.” How do you create an inspiring vision for your life and then turn that vision into your everyday reality?I believe we all have an idea of the kind of life we want to live. We all have dreams we want to fulfil and an inner knowing of who we could be and what would make our hearts sing. The question is, are you giving yourself permission to articulate that vision and then take the steps necessary to bring it to life? If this is an area of your life where you could do with a hand, this episode’s guest is your man! I’m super pumped to introduce your new friend, Mr Jason Ayers. Jason is an entrepreneur, operations optimizer, process engineer, and relentless problem-solver with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He has spent most of his life studying leadership, the psychology of achievement, performance management, systems, marketing, automation, business, and sales.He's a certified Neurolinguistic Programming Practitioner (NLP), which helps him t

“I had fast-growth in my business because I believed that my spirituality is leading the way.” What happens when soul decides the path you’re walking isn’t the one that’s right for you? When Michelle Sorro attended a Tony Robbins’ Date With Destiny event, it was her intention to take her TV career to the next level. But instead of unlocking clarity on how to evolve her TV segment, soul had different plans. On her knees and heart cracked open, Michelle realized her purpose was something else entirely.As a result, Michelle switched gears and followed her intuition to become a heart-centred leader on a mission to empower millions to be seen and heard. Today, Michelle teaches coaches, trainers, and experts how to start and scale an authentic, online presence by getting out of their comfort zone so they can create a life of greater fulfilment.“I don't believe in hustle, grit, and grind. I just believe in ease, grace, and flow.” Michelle is also the host of The Fire and Soul podcast, a Top 10 in Self

“You have to figure out what is the thing that you want to stand for - and that is your greatness.” When Casanova Brooks was eight-years-old, he and his two best buddies did everything together. They were the ‘three amigos’, which meant it was highly unusual for Casanova to turn down a trip to the beach. That was the day his two best friends drowned. This experience was the first of three tragic moments in Casanova’s life. The second time, it was he who nearly died, and the third time, it was his mom. But despite all the pain and tragedy, Casanova has managed to create an extraordinary life in which he thrives. His ‘secret’? Somehow, he was able to transform his rock bottom moments into unstoppable momentum for a better life. And in this beautiful episode, he shares his methodologies so that you can do the same. “Everybody has a different vision. Everybody has different goals. So, write down what yours are so then you know who you are.” As you’ll hear in this beautiful episode, C

“The better our boundaries are, the more powerful our presence will be in the world.” What does it take to live in your truth and create a container that empowers you to thrive? This episode’s incredible guest believes we’ve not been taught to speak up and share our truth. Instead, we’ve been trained distrust the messages of our body and override our inner wisdom. Karlee Fain is a celebrity business and health coach who shows career-driven women how to upgrade their boundaries so they can tap into their deepest wisdom and stop people-pleasing. As a sought-after live-in coach to A-List celebrities [including Grammy-award winners], Karlee empowers people to get back their precious time and energy.  In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll discover how you can lean into the richness of life and connect with your inner being through the magic of boundaries.“I will be of the greatest service in the world if I dare to make sure that my cup is full.” Check out this beautiful episode to

“Mindfulness is being aware and accepting of our present moment experience with curiosity and compassion.” What is the soul? Why are we afraid of dying? How can we feel more present, peaceful, and connected to the truth of who we are? It’s not often you get a chance to discuss questions like these with a mindfulness thought leader with the depth of experience and insight like Mitra Manesh. Mitra is a UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center Instructor with over 3.5 decades of experience in this area. She also has a private practice where she works with celebrity clients as well as multinational corporations including Merrill Lynch, Hugo Boss, Amazon, and more. Her North Star is making conscious living and working more available and accessible to the global community. As you know, presence and staying grounded is something I’m passionate about so I couldn’t wait to dive into Mitra’s wisdom. And we went deep - discussing topics we all think about but are secretly afraid to explore.&n

“I build the journey that allows the best of nature to do its best and then I don't say a word.” Matt Prior loves exploring and discovering nature. As a pilot, Adventure Consultant for Red Bull, and founder of the World’s First Adventure Academy, Matt has exploration running through his blood. He lives a life fuelled by curiosity and presence; a life which has seen him visit over 120 countries, climb peaks in five continents, and take part in a collection of badass expeditions - all on a shoestring.Matt’s been featured in everything from CNN to Men’s Journal, Red Bull, Outside Magazine, and Business Insider. His overland expertise and willingness to push boundaries means National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and the BBC have also approached him.   And while Matt thrives on the rush and growth of high-adrenaline experiences and adventures, he also loves the groundedness he feels when he’s present in nature.   “Be present every day. Smile. Be kind. Be open to anythi

“Every emotion serves us, but once we know how it's serving us and why, now we have a choice of how to use it as a tool.” There’s no question that our minds are a beautiful tool for enhancing our human experience. But what happens when you overuse your mind and neglect the wisdom in your body and feelings?  If you rely on one aspect of self, you’re not coming from a place of wholeness. If you’re not tapping into the emotions created by your body, you’re missing out on a whole chunk of knowledge ready to enrich your experience of life. There’s just one problem…Why are we so afraid of the way we feel? Fortunately, this episode’s guest - the magical Kristi Worful - has some much-needed answers. It’s not uncommon for people to struggle with their emotions. From a young age, we’re taught that some feelings are good while others are bad. We’re taught that some emotions are OK to express while others need to be pushed right back down. It’s left us in a state of confusion and distrust about what o

“I'm living a life that I absolutely love. I'm surrounded by a tribe of people that I absolutely love, just simply because I started with the, "What if?"Rob was an abandoned child. As a baby, he was raised by his four-year-old sister until a white, Moron family adopted them both. Raised by a loving family in a predominantly middle-class white community, Rob endured racial abuse. He was spat on, called names, and beat up. The feeling of not belonging would not go away. He eventually found an outlet for his anger and confusion in sport. On the court or field, race and color didn’t matter and after achieving a scholarship to play football at Utah, he thought his life would start working out. But despite being around black people for the first time, he still didn’t fit in. Rob sunk into a dark depression and began fantasizing about how he’d end his life. He hit rock bottom in his mid-30s when everything fell apart. His marriage ended, his start-up failed, and he was done with the pain. But something told him

“Nobody ever taught me how to be human. They taught me how to be a warrior, they taught me how to be a gladiator, they taught me how to not cry, they taught me how to hurt people. It taught me a lot of stuff in my life. Nobody ever taught me how to be human.”Like you, we’ve been moved and enraged by the racism and brutality experienced by our Black brothers and sisters. To show our support and solidarity with Black America, we’re committed to sharing their voices and stories with you. To kick-start this effort, we’re replaying one of our most popular interviews. This conversation with Andre Norman first aired in 2019. It’s an incredible story of beating the odds and the system to create extraordinary impact. The US has one of the largest prison populations in the world with around 1 in 100 Americans in jail. According to 2014 NAACP statistics, African Americans accounted for a disproportionate 34% of the total prison population. It’s a shocking fact that the Black community is incarcerated at more t

“Confidence is simple. It’s not loud, it’s not anything that can be defined by a particular skill or personality type. It’s simply this: the willingness to experience negative emotion.” How much of your vision for life is impacted by what others say or think about you? How often do you hold yourself back or talk yourself out of taking action because your confidence lets you down? Who could you be, what could you have, and where would you go if you could create approval from within and create a story that showered you with positivity, freedom, and relentless joy? This episode’s guest is the incredible Susie Moore - and she dances in this creative, curious space every day! Susie believes that joyful, loving, connected people are POWERFUL. It’s why she says that her only obligation is to have a joyful life - and in doing so, she serves as an example to others of what a joyful life looks and feels like. If you’re ready to be more confident [and feel more joyful in the process], this episode is

“Nobody wants your perfect, everyone just wants your human.” This episode’s guest is no stranger to the Stay Grounded Podcast. Nataly Kogan was one of our very first guests when we launched back in 2017. Nataly’s ‘Happier’ message was powerful back then, but it feels even more potent now - thanks to the new normal we’re navigating ourselves through.This current climate is bringing out the worst - and the best in us. Lockdown and all its associated uncertainties has pulled out the rug in so many areas of our lives. Trying to make sense of it all is tough and new emotions, fears, and experiences are constantly bubbling up. Nataly’s message of self-compassion is vital under these pressures. With the stresses we face right now, mistakes are inevitable. We’re going to get triggered and frustrated and that’s OK because as Nataly reminds us we’re all human and perfection is inauthentic. And amongst it all, self-compassion is the gateway to freedom, happiness, and joy. “Be a kind observer instead

“When you just leave your mind alone for extended periods of time, you start to see profound depths and profound stillness.” We live in beautiful times where meditation is no longer a fringe ritual. You can even practice on your phone in the comfort of your home any time you choose! This is good news because meditation as a practice offers profound benefits. You can expect everything from the ability to create stillness and clarity to an awareness of the vast potential we have as humans. But what happens if you’re a ‘bad’ meditator? And what layers are we really uncovering when we sit with stillness and become the observer of our thoughts? In this powerful episode, mindfulness teacher Jon Krop explains how you can use meditation to live more skillfully in the modern world. His insights could be life-changing for you. “Meditation is really just a practice of cultivating new mental habits.” Jon Krop is a Harvard-educated lawyer and mindfulness expert who’s been meditating for

“There is a twelve step process to burnout. We start with excessive ambition and end with a total mental and physical collapse.”Have you noticed that burnout is a badge of honor? As a society, we place a high value on the hard work and the hustle - and if you’re burnt out, by definition you’re a hard worker! But does burnout deliver the results you want? And is it even the best strategy to create success in business and in life? This episode’s guest says not. After burning out riddled with a collection of physical and emotional symptoms, John Wang realized there had to be a better route to success.In this episode, John not only shares his story, but reveals the logic and story behind our willingness to burn out - so you can choose a more empowered path to your goals.  “We almost celebrate the word burnout because of our ego. “Look at how hard I work to the point that I get to burnout” - which makes no sense.” John Wang has been a speaker and an educator for the last 15 years. His passion i

“There is a cost to trying to be successful. There is a cost to trying to change the world. For many entrepreneurs and founders, it is destroying us and our companies.” Does success require burnout? Can you build a thriving business and live a calm life? As a society, we’ve been raised on a diet where hard work equals the path to success, but is that really true? What’s more, are the sacrifices involved with the high stress, high-success ethos actually contributing to the lifestyle and results we really want? After finding himself on the floor of his dream home unable to move, Aaron Houghton realized there had to be a better way to live. An entrepreneur since the age of 17, Aaron launched more than ten tech startups - including one which he sold to a publicly traded company for $169 million before his 30th birthday. He’d ‘made’ it! The money, the business, the awards… but after pushing himself to his limits, Aaron began to question if the panic attacks, debilitating anxiety, and chronic stress

Welcome to Stay Grounded Daily, a Tuesday through Friday mini podcast episode to help you stay grounded in truth, love, and possibility during these times of crisis.In today’s episode, I talk about the first thing anyone must do before they put themselves in a position to grow from their circumstances. When you are honest with yourself, you give yourself a chance to start fresh from a blank slate. And oftentimes, starting fresh is easier than patching up something that doesn’t work for you.Hope you enjoy it :) If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to join the Find Your Lens Challenge - A Powerful LIVE group experience to help you identify your biggest fears, limiting beliefs, and disempowering stories and transform them into profound tools for personal and professional growth.⁣It will happen Friday through Sunday. To take part for FREE, join the Stay Grounded Facebook Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/staygrounded/Connect with Raj:Website | https://www.rajjana.comInstagram | https://www.